Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-23
FRONTIER GUARDS.
CAPITAL GUARDS.

~. tHolfHt ! / l -
W. A. Clark, 435444 3-g1
10
The rules now governing the National Rifle
Association for deciding ties saws virtually
that score with the fewest cutters (2s) is
the best score. The rules laid down in Can't.
Blunts Manuel says that the score with the
fewest misses (0) is the best score By com
pairing the scores it will be seen that the
capital Guards has three cutters (2s) and one
miss (O)--while the score of the Frontier
Guards has four cutters (2s) and no miss (0)
According to the National Rifle Association
rules, the Capital Guards is the best score
According to Blunt's Manuel the Frontier
Guards have the best score. Now comes the
vital question. Which should control the
Inspector of Rifle Practice in his decision!
General orders, No. ,, April -, 1885.
quoted in full on the article referred to has
two declarations which bear on this ques-
ton. The first in Sect. /, says that Blunt's
Manual is adopted so far as practicable
and that the rules laid down will govern the
rifle practice until otherwise ordered. Then
follow the instructions in accordance with the
Manual" so far as thought practical In
Sect. 10, the following language is used.
The Constructions in Rifle and Carbine
Firing for the L. S. Army prepared by
Capt S. +. Blunt of the t. S. A., and
adopted by the war department Jan. -, 1855
for guidance of the L. s. A. is hereby
authorized for the instruction of the militia
of Maine
No order has been issued since, which
either modifies or does away with the order
referred to. And unless some good reason
be given, these rules ought to control The
rules laid down in this Manual by which
ties" are decided give the best score to the
Frontier Guards" The correspondent says
that have disregarded the highest authority.
Let us see for moment if this be the case.
The L. 5. Army pay no attention to the
rules adopted by the National Association
when those rules conflict with those in
"Blunts Manual"
Lieut.. Philip Reade Inspector of Rifle
Practice Missouri Division of the u. S. 4.
under date of oct % writes The rules
governing such competitions should be those
of Blunt and not of the n. X. A. Creedmore
is governed by the n. Il. \. We of the
Army are not"
1t seems plain to me that under the general
orders no other decision would be right Let
us now see if the decision was Just. 70 come
to an intelligent conclusion on this point let
us inquire why the n. X. A. changed the rule
governing the decision on ties.
Gen. Wngate of the n. X. A. writes under
date of oct. "a, 81, that the rules were
changed to conform with the Wimbledon regu-
lations. He says we considered that } ) } } o
was better than 1 1 I 1, especially at long
range when the miss might be a bulls eve on
the wrong target or bad bullet or some
similar accident"
The letter of j. $. Shepherd published by
your correspondent says at 200 yds perhaps
the old rule might be better, but at mid range
and particularly at long range, so many misses
prove to be good shots on the wrong target
that we adopted the English rule" Bear in
mind that this match was shot at 200 yds.
In substance the reason was this---expe
rience with mark smen using fine sighted rifles,
at long distances misses were generally from
bad bullets and shooting on the wrong target
but at POO yds. there is no claim that teaches
the same to be true or in other words, if
there was no evidence that the miss occurred
from accidental reasons, then the score
without "a miss is and always has been re-
garded the best. Now let me call your at
tention to the score of the Capital Guards
where the miss occurs. The score was made
by Chas. H. Leeman as follows o = J )
t.
Who will claim on examining this score but
what it was clean miss. Leeman is a good
shot, but for some reason, disarrangement of
sights or some other cause, he made a miss.
He like any other good shot placed his next
on the target, and improving in his holding
or calculations, kept increasing his score until
he close it with two tours. If my CON
cIusions are correct. and think the score
shows it. there can be no denial but that
score without miss is the best according to
g. ha,o
Then upon the basis of justice the decision
holds good.
Now word more in relation to N.
r. A. rules appreciate the work
done by that association and the self
sacrificing pains taken by its support
ers. especially by Gen. Wingate. But
must say that the rules thus far have never
met the wants of military shooting" In
oyations have been allowed both in sights
and rifles. classed as military, which has
caused great dissatisfaction and injustice to
those using military rife. Until now it is
thought very doubtful if there will ever be
another interstate match at CreedmOre. I'M
less the n. r. A. adopt rules defining mill
tarv rifie--and the kind of ammunition used.
I quoted from the Rifle, Nov. issue. pub
lishcd in Boston. 1T is believed that unless
rule similar to the one above suggested
Suggestions in relation to rifles and sights
in Nov. issue there will be no further Inter
state or National competition under the Aus
nices of the National Rifle Association
Inasmuch as the rules of the \. X. A.
have given rise to such criticism and dissatis-
faction in military matches, and that the L.
: A. (which must be recognized as authority
on military matters) pay no attention to the
\. II. A. rules when in conflict with 'Blunts
MAMMAL" your correspondent need not be
surprised if refuse to regard them as the
highest authority
| wish to add only this that the rules OF
the n. r. A.. relating to ties, may he all well
enough for Investigated sporting rifles IN the
hands of experienced marksmen. but II
would not. to my mind, be applicable to mil
itarv rifles. either in team or individual shoot
ing at any distances. The examination OF
the whole question has convinced me that IN
the future we should conform more rlgidly
to the rules as laid down in Blunt's Manual
they being better adapted to military shoot
inc While may fail in this article to CON
vince those holding different views, | Will be
satisfied if have made myself clearly I'M
derstood. With respect,
F.. c. FARRISGroN, |. Il. L.